Just got the car, has a little over 19,000 miles now. When I got it out of storage, wouldn't idle, replaced the IAC valve and all is good now. Threw a new cap and rotor on it, buddy had a high performance coil laying around so we through that on there and put some accel plug wires on it, and had dual exhaust with the cat taken out. Put about 100 miles on it so far and it is running very good.

Just looking on some advice on how to cost effectively ring some more power out of it. Mostly will just be cruising around with my girlfriend but will take it to the track every so often. End result I am looking for is for it to be fun to drive. Not looking to ruin the drivability of the car

1985 with manual 4+3 trans.

Traded my 93 ford lightning truck to my father for the corvette. He hates the car because he can't get into it. So he liked the truck, easier to get into and those truck are fun to drive.

 

1. Long Tube Headers.
2. Super Ram Intake or ported base, plenum, runners... or mini ram (my preferred order)
3. Rear Gear if you are running a 2.59

Beyond that, heads, cam, tune. If that isn't enough then stroke it, 383.

 

What headers do you recommend? I've seen people talk about different ones, some say this one, some say that one blah blah. What is the bottom line on it?
Also, with headers, the emissions air pump will need to be deleted? What is involved with that, is there a kit that is sold?

What kind of real in the road gains can be seen by the headers and intake?

 

TPIS headers are fantastic and have the extended flanges on 'em to accept the rear factory Alternator brackets. Bolt up and fit great. Easy 8-10 percent HP improvement at the wheels.

You would need their Y pipe, a heated O2 sensor, and a full tune. You could delete the air and block off the EGR (delete it in the tune). There is an air pump delete that replaces the pump with a pulley.

It will feel like a new car and plenty seat of the pants action. Plus, it is the first building block that compliments future improvements like 1.6 roller rockers, upgraded heads, cam, TPI porting/replacement. But even as a stand alone mod, the headers are great!

James

 

Long tube headers are the biggest bang for buck.
The air filter lid cut it so there is no restriction, you only need the bit that holds the air filter in place.

The Y pipe in front of the CAT, replace that when doing the headers it is a big restriction. Give her a new fuel filter and plugs, make sure the ignition leads are still ok.

If you do not need emission tests, an adjustable fuel pressure regulator is another thing for more power. Set the fuel pressure to 45-50 psi and the TPI will really wake up.

16 years ago when i got my 85 she did 14.4 in the quarter mile (with 3.07 rear and auto trans.
I went back a week later with long tube headers and adjustable fuel pressure regulator but set standard pressure, she ran 13.7 in the quarter. I set the fuel pressure to 48 psi and cut the air filter lid, advanced the timing a little and she did 13.1.
(close to C4 ZR1 performance without touching the engine!!)

That is all it takes to knock over a second from the quarter mile, long tube headers, Y pipe, adjustable fuel pressure regulator and air filter lid opened up.

A TPIS cam specially made for the TPI engine will get her in the low to mid twelve second quarters, forget the heads mini ram unless you want to go faster.

A few years later i added a supercharger, but you can see the TPI engines love headers,

Nitrous oxide is a sweet sensation, the 85 has TRW forged pistons so you can add another 100 hp easilly.

I would not be worried about the bottom end, i ran 8 psi intercooled boost for 6 years with the standard 350 before building a new 383 engine. She had done 170,000 miles and would have only needed new rings to do many more miles.

 

If you're looking for LT headers, I have a brand new pair of Exotic Muscle LTs for sale in C4 parts for sale at a great price. Ceramic coated with 1 5/8" primaries.

 

I put headers on my 85....eliminated smog...roller rockers..bigger throttle body...got rid of egr....tuner says I picked up 50 hp.....unless you're drag racing, no need for more power or speed.....nobody"s going to embarass you.....

 

How does one tune an 85? I thought with the 85 ECM tuning was difficult or not possible without upgrading to a late 86 ECM?

I have been back and forth with doing some bolt on's to my factory 85.

 

don't know about that..I know the 85 ecm is different , but I did the work, took it to a turner....he sure made it work...

 

Looks nice!

 

Playsdixe, where did you have the intake chromed if I may ask.
Looking to either polished, or chrome.

Thank you

 

got the intake/plenum /runners/ off a guy on craig's list...the rest bought separately as chrome.....be warned.....it looks nice, but real pain to keep it that way.....don't drive in the rain/wet conditions....it's like my harley...4 hours a week polishing and 30 minutes riding....